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J989 BRM

1994 BMW 3 Series

Blue Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Jan 2027
Tests18 (10 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

128,417 mi
Last recorded128,417 miles
Recorded on28 Jan 2026
Typical for 1994 BMW 3 Series122,065 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ989 BRM
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1994
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,796cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

10 pass 8 fail
Pass 28 Jan 2026 128,417 miles
Fail 28 Jan 2026 128,417 miles

Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Pass 2 Oct 2024 126,356 miles

All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Pass 15 Jun 2023 126,356 miles

All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Exhaust silencer slightly loose (8.1.1 (b) (i))

Vehicle structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced underside covered in underseal (6.1.1 (d) (i))

vehicle has previous repairs to underside all covered in underseal

Fail 15 Jun 2023 126,356 miles

All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Exhaust silencer slightly loose (8.1.1 (b) (i))

Vehicle structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced underside covered in underseal (6.1.1 (d) (i))

vehicle has previous repairs to underside all covered in underseal

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))

Pass 10 Jun 2021 126,358 miles
Fail 17 May 2021 126,356 miles

Central Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Exhaust emissions - engine idle speed too high (8.2.1.2 (e))

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Nearside Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Direction indicator missing (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting rear seal boot corner (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Offside Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Direction indicator missing (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting inner seal (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting inner seal (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Parking brake lever ratchet not holding correctly (1.1.6 (a))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Driver's seat moving inadvertently (6.2.5 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Direction indicator flashing less than 60 times a minute (4.4.4 (a))

Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()

Pass 19 Jul 2012 126,349 miles
Fail 19 Jul 2012 126,349 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Pass 15 Jul 2011 119,122 miles

Battery insecure

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Oil leak

aftermarket headlights fitted

side skirts fitted to outer sills

slight corrosion to offside front chassis

slight side wall damage to rear tyres (no cords)

Fail 15 Jul 2011 119,120 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Battery insecure

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Oil leak

aftermarket headlights fitted

side skirts fitted to outer sills

slight corrosion to offside front chassis

slight side wall damage to rear tyres (no cords)

Fail 23 Dec 2010 118,241 miles

Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Rear Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (4.1.D.2)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

(1) rear exhaust mount broken (2) both rear sub frame mounts on body slightly parished

Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

both rear tyres sticking outsides arches

Pass 12 Dec 2009 115,021 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Front front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

front and rear brake discs corroded

Fail 11 Dec 2009 115,021 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Front front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

front and rear brake discs corroded

Pass 5 May 2008 106,721 miles
Fail 5 May 2008 106,721 miles

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 4 Jun 2007 135,466 miles
Pass 30 Jun 2006 131,600 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 3 Series?

Based on 12,840,406 MOT tests across 1,004,285 vehicles.

75.1%
Pass Rate
6,672
Miles/Year
37
Year Lifespan
1,004,285
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 485,475
Brake pipe excessively corroded 323,327
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 253,205
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 185,099
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 182,360
Full BMW 3 Series reliability report

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J989 BRM is a 1994 BMW 3 Series in Blue with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 18 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.6%.

Across all 1994 BMW 3 Series models, the average MOT pass rate is 63.9% with a typical mileage of 122,065 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a BMW 3 Series fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 485,475 recorded failures. If you're considering buying J989 BRM, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 3 Series typically stays on UK roads for around 37 years. At 32 years old, this BMW 3 Series is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of J989 BRM?

You can check the full history of J989 BRM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J989 BRM registered?

J989 BRM is a 1994 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 31 December 1994.

Is J989 BRM safe to buy?

The MOT history for J989 BRM shows 18 tests with a 55.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J989 BRM have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on J989 BRM. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.